Big Data vs Big Brother

Morgan Stanley sits down with Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz to talk about what might be the biggest challenge of his career: making sure the iconic brand stays relevant without losing its authenticity.

Morgan Stanley sits down with Northrop Grumman President and CEO Kathy Warden to talk about how one of the world’s largest aerospace companies thinks about innovation and exploration.

Luxury brands are poised to soar as high-spending Chinese consumers emerge from COVID restrictions.

Investors are increasingly looking at the power of companies’ network of users, which can make or break a start-up.

AI beyond the hype, a potential breakthrough in health tech, a near-term opportunity in PCs and more trends in technology and beyond.

Morgan Stanley sits down with Markus Krebber, CEO of Germany’s RWE, to talk about how the company has transformed from one of the world’s largest brown coal producers to a leader in the global transition to clean energy.

Deglobalisation, decarbonisation and technology diffusion could provide investment opportunities in the years ahead.

2022 was an eventful year for markets, and the early signals from 2023 suggest that the intensity is unlikely to ease anytime soon.

Morgan Stanley sits down with Nikesh Arora, Chairman & CEO of Palo Alto Networks, to talk about how the pandemic changed the cybersecurity landscape.

Corporate travel budgets are recovering to pre-COVID levels, our new survey finds. See where companies are spending in the year ahead.

A bull cycle has begun in emerging market equities, with China, Korea and Taiwan helping to lead a recovery from a long bear market.

Amid volatility in stocks and bonds, institutional and individual investors might seek diversification in the growing private equity secondaries market.

Put away your stagflation playbook – this is not the 1970s.

Morgan Stanley sits down with Doug McMillon, President & CEO of Walmart, to talk about how the company pulled off one of the greatest omnichannel transformations in retail history—and why sustainable business practices benefit the bottom line.

Most investors are more familiar with equities but bonds are where they should be focusing their attention at the moment. Morgan Stanley analysts believe the near-term outlook for bonds is very attractive – we look at why.

Morgan Stanley sits down with Jenny Johnson, CEO of Franklin Templeton to talk about the future of asset management—and the number one mistake investors make.

As companies try to shore up profit margins amid high inflation, Morgan Stanley sees an investment opportunity among sectors producing technologies to reduce costs and increase productivity.

Learn the basics of cloud computing and how to help keep your data secure.

Bond investors may be coming to grips with the reality of higher interest rates and long-term inflation. What could it mean for markets?

Biotechs are applying AI and machine learning to drug development, potentially creating dozens of new medicines and a $50 billion market over the next decade.

Scams are getting more sophisticated. Take some simple steps to protect yourself.

Why gender diversity is good for business, and how investors can play a role in advancing equality.

As China eases its strict COVID rules, Morgan Stanley Research expects the world’s second-largest economy to open more broadly by the end of 2022. Here’s what investors need to know now.

Morgan Stanley sits down with Tim Höttges, CEO of Deutsche Telekom to learn more about how he’s led the company through one of the most disruptive periods in the industry.

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Research’s flagship multi-asset model portfolios reached their 10-year anniversary in April 2022. Throughout many market fluctuations the Core models have delivered solid performance.

Global e-commerce stocks surged during the early days of Covid-19 but have since slumped. Despite overall slowing economic activity, key trends suggest e-commerce still has room to grow. What it means for economies, industries and investors.

The recent valuation reset is opening-up attractive opportunities in both equity and fixed income. Appropriate allocations to Alternative investments are also becoming more important in the cycle ahead.

Issues of succession and inheritance have the potential to create serious family conflict if not handled carefully.

Amid changing global macroeconomic trends, value-investing opportunities in financial services, healthcare and industrials emerge, per Eaton Vance portfolio managers.

Australia is at the forefront of research and development into quantum computing.

Given recent market volatility, checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense.

The emerging ‘Multi-Earner Era’ theme has implications for workers, employers and the economy.

Many of those who are comparing current markets to the 2000 tech bubble are drawing the wrong conclusions according to Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest.

The shift from tangible to intangible assets can make it harder for investors to interpret organisations financial statements. A different approach to understanding corporate performance may help.

Investors from Calvert discuss analysing sustainability in the fashion industry and challenges along its supply chain.

Former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Ian Macfarlane shares his views on inflation and interest rates.

Are recent indicators of slowing growth a warning sign of impending recession or perhaps something less ominous?

Aging populations and lower technology costs are propelling companies to invest more in productivity-boosting automation. What could this mean for your portfolio?

Lower growth, easing inflation, falling house prices and troughing unemployment should see hiking slow in 2023

Persistent inflation, supply chain constraints, the continuing pandemic and war in Ukraine signal a significant slowdown in global GDP growth this year but not a worldwide recession.

Selling a business should be the reward for years of entrepreneurial savvy and hard work. Here’s how to make the process go smoothly.

Morgan Stanley's strategists recommend cutting risk, with equal weight across assets. For upside, look to Japan, energy, munis and mortgage-backed securities.

As the U.S. dollar strengthens against other major currencies, investors may be overlooking the potential risks to markets and the economy. Here’s what to watch.

In an environment where past-cycle playbooks may prove ineffective, alternative investments may serve a valuable role in your portfolio. Here are five themes to consider.

Growth could be within your grasp—if you can get the right financing.

For decades now, investors have seen how powerfully their decisions can drive impactful outcomes for people and the planet. Here are 10 ways to continue making an impact with your investment dollars.

Morgan Stanley’s Head of Wealth Management Australia, Ian Chambers, sat down with Rob Langton of Ready Media Group for an exclusive interview.

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment

As the market for sustainable bonds grows, Morgan Stanley Investment Management’s fixed-income leaders discuss why the asset class is becoming so important for ESG investors and what key trends to watch.

How the power of time can help savvy young investors grow an impressive portfolio.

Growth is good, but it’s slowing. Policy is easy, but it’s tightening. Inflation is high, but it's set to moderate. Commodities are surging, or not, depending on the day. Markets are often overdramatic about current conditions, but these developments are striking.

The yield curve has inverted—meaning short-term interest rates moved higher than long-term rates—and could stay inverted through 2022. Here's what it means and why it may be less worrisome than in the past.

Increasing demand and significant cost reductions have changed the clean energy landscape. Learn how decarbonisation efforts may present opportunities for investors.

The growing popularity of cryptocurrency has created a new wrinkle for investors—how to balance its potential upside against its inherent environmental and social impacts. A look at both sides of the issue.

Learn why backups should be a part of your overall cybersecurity strategy.

The Budget sets out the next stage in the Government’s economic plan to provide Australians with relief from cost of living pressures.

Whether it is panic selling, hiding out in cash, or trading frantically during volatile markets, investors tend to make several mistakes that can hurt them long-term. Know how to spot—and avoid—the most common bad behaviors.

The Budget on 29 March will be a key lead-in to the Election in May. Morgan Stanley strategists expect deficits to reduce alongside targeted cost of living announcements.

Morgan Stanley’s Global Chairman and CEO was the international keynote speaker at the recent Australian Financial Review Business Summit in Sydney.

Geopolitical events have raised fresh concerns about the outlook for banks locally and globally.

The willingness to freeze the deposits of a foreign state raises many questions on the future for reserve assets.

Geopolitical strife and monetary-policy tightening have knocked financial markets off balance, but the U.S. economy may be on sounder footing. What this divergence means for investors.

The metaverse blurs the lines between our physical and digital lives, potentially transforming advertising, e-commerce, entertainment and education. Learn how this investment theme could unfold.

The RBA’s broad message remained unchanged at its March meeting - amid significant uncertainty it seems happy to remain patient and wait for the data to evolve.

The pandemic inhibited women’s participation in the labour force, but setting up the right support systems can help them recover lost ground and reclaim their economic momentum.

Companies are prioritising resilience in the wake of the pandemic, and that’s driving demand for end-to-end automation. Discover what’s next for enterprise software and who will benefit from this emerging $40 billion industry.

The complexity of modern supply chains and the unprecedented disruptions have fueled brisk investor debate about the outlook for industries and the economy. Here’s what’s ahead.

Increasing access to capital for companies led by women and multicultural entrepreneurs

The gap between the world’s renewable supply of water and demand is expected to be 40% by 2030, bringing a new urgency to addressing water scarcity. Morgan Stanley’s Sustainability Research Team looks at the causes, implications and solutions.

A new Morgan Stanley study reveals that investors perceive the debt of more inclusive companies as less risky compared with that of less socially conscious firms.

The global battery economy is shifting into high gear thanks to rapid EV adoption, improving technology and a new urgency for governments and corporates to decarbonise. A look at key takeaways for investors on this emerging theme.

Despite rising inflation and continued economic uncertainty, compelling fixed-income investments exist in key assets and sectors.

From the rise of the metaverse to EV acceleration, these key issues could shape industries and drive asset prices this year. Here’s how our views diverge from the market.

We all know the benefits of having money set aside for emergencies. Here’s how to go about it.

Despite being home to 17% of the world’s population, Africa is an underinvested market and offers compelling long-term opportunities.

The latest run-up in interest rates may not be as fleeting as some investors think. What it could mean for portfolios.

Morgan Stanley bankers outline how companies are expanding revenue streams, dealing with chip shortages and giving consumers the content and digital experiences they demand.

Morgan Stanley strategists say the easy returns are over for U.S. equities, credits and Treasuries, but see value in European and Japanese stocks in 2022.

The future of work was already a debate pre-pandemic, but COVID-19 continues to add a disruptive new wrinkle. We sit down with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi to discuss the ever-changing state of work.

As the world potentially faces future COVID-19 variants, are we stuck with the virus forever? Morgan Stanley Biotech Equity Analyst Matthew Harrison sits down with Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna.

The surge in global inflation has investors fretting about future growth, but Morgan Stanley economists say price surges will subside, making way for 4.7% global GDP growth in 2022. Here’s the view on the global economy.

Easing of lockdown and border restrictions, along with a stimulatory federal election, see a strong demand recovery through 2022.

What health care breakthroughs will we be talking about in twenty years? Morgan Stanley's Amy Ellis sits down with Wellington Management CEO Jean Hynes to discuss asset management and the future of health care innovation.

As one of the fastest growing areas of fintech, BNPL is a key space to watch both as a new investment opportunity and for the potential longer-term impact on incumbents.

How do you run a 50,000-employee airline after a pandemic eliminates 95% of your bookings virtually overnight? Airline industry legend Gary Kelly, Chair and CEO of Southwest, sits down with Morgan Stanley to tell the tale.

How do you exit a business that currently accounts for nearly 100% of your profits? General Motors Chair and CEO Mary Barra sits down with Adam Jonas, Head of Morgan Stanley's Global Auto & Shared Mobility research team, to discuss the seismic shift to electric.

Despite lengthy lockdowns in New South Wales and Victoria, the nation’s economy remains resilient.

What does the rapidly evolving commercialisation of space mean for investors?

What are the opportunities and challenges facing women who are founding, leading and investing in Australian technology firms?

Blackstone President and COO Jon Gray talks about the post-COVID environment, maintaining investment discipline as business scales up, the appropriate level of return in a near-zero interest rate environment and what keeps Jon up at night.

The nexus of changing customer expectations, increasing competition and evolving regulation is providing opportunities and challenges that will transform businesses from across the spectrum.

Harnessing disruption is not just an appealing ideology, it’s an absolute commercial necessity.

While we acknowledge the impact to economic activity from the rise of the Covid-19 Delta variant, underlying activity remains robust, whilst the desire for a return to "normal" remains as strong as ever.

As cyber threats follow enterprises into the cloud, two key software markets are set to converge into a single discipline for more effective threat prevention, detection and response. A look at the opportunities for investors.

Given the substantial increase in the money supply in the US in recent years, concerns over its impact on inflation are understandable. We delve more deeply into this connection and find cause and effect is not quite that straight-forward.

What’s the lower-risk way to play compelling electrification themes, such as electric cars, modern energy grids, storage and distributed power? A unique take for investors.

Inflation continues to dominate the debate over the medium-term market trajectory. We take a deeper dive on the issues facing Australian investors.

A new framework for assessing climate change data helps real estate investors measure risks, including extreme weather events and the costs of transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

Morgan Stanley sits down with Prologis CEO Hamid Moghadam to discuss the multifaceted future of logistics and industrial real estate.

Can U.S. utilities truly reach net-zero carbon emissions? Duke Energy CEO Lynn Good sits down with Morgan Stanley’s Stephen Byrd to discuss the future of clean power and the technologies that could get us there.

Will pent-up demand for experiences mean boom times ahead for travel & leisure? Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta sits down for an exclusive interview with Morgan Stanley’s Thomas Allen.

With the global economy on track to pass its pre-pandemic growth trajectory this year, Morgan Stanley economists say that next stage of growth will be driven by a red-hot cycle of business investment.

Strong economic winds call for charting a different course, including looking for opportunities globally, focusing on out-of-favour sectors and investing thematically.

Post-COVID, the strategic focus for ASX200 companies is likely to shift from capital preservation to capital allocation.

Disrupting a playbook that has worked successfully for a 100 years isn’t without challenges. In this episode, Honeywell CEO Darius Adamczyk sits down with Morgan Stanley’s Katy Huberty to discuss Honeywell’s marriage of industrial hardware and 21st century tech.

In episode four of our new series, Exceptional Leaders / Exceptional Ideas, Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts sits down with Benjamin Swinburne, Head of U.S. Media Research.

The Budget sets out the next stage in the Government’s economic plan to get Australia through COVID-19.

Bitcoin is back in the headlines after a three-year respite. Is Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency something investors should consider for their portfolios?

Many investors prioritise addressing climate change but still aren’t sure how. Portfolio manager Andrew Harmstone discusses strategies to align portfolios with the Paris Agreement.

While Morgan Stanley has a bullish view on the trajectory of the global economy, a key part of our forecast is conditional on a "grand reopening".

In the second full year of our Plastic Waste Resolution, we’ve financed capital markets solutions, collaborated with key partners and reduced single-use plastic in our operations.

The economics of taste is a known factor in the art market, but it can also be a challenge within families as privately-owned art and collectibles pass between generations. Here are some key estate planning considerations for avid collectors and their families.

Morgan Stanley Research compares the three largest consumer markets – US, China, and Euro area/United Kingdom – to highlight the different ways they will drive the global recovery.

How do we make an orderly transition to clean energy with billions of legacy vehicles still in use? Ben van Beurden sits down with Martijn Rats, Global Oil Strategist and Head of European Energy Research, to discuss the future of energy.

Surging demand for digital products and services is giving rise to a breed of companies facilitating cloud computing and data automation. Could their consolidated market share rival that of today’s tech blue chips?

At long last, value stocks are back—but for how long? Morgan Stanley's Quantitative Equity Research team looks at whether the trend has staying power.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella sits down with Morgan Stanley’s Rob Rooney and Keith Weiss to discuss workplace digital transformation. Post-pandemic, will the workplace ever be the same?

Jonathan Gray, President and Chief Operating Officer of Blackstone, sits down with equity analyst Michael Cyprys to discuss investing in key disruption themes in energy, life sciences and logistics as well as Blackstone’s approach to innovation and a culture of meritocracy.

As Australia’s recovery momentum continues, debates on policy paths are starting to emerge.

Top trends focused on how the impact of the pandemic could radically reshape the roster of winners and losers in global markets.

Did our online binge during lockdowns forever change how we shop for goods and services? Five debates for investors to watch in 2021.

While no sector of the economy has gone untouched, over time many sectors may normalise, with some returning to business as usual and others returning to a “new normal".

Morgan Stanley’s latest analysis of Australian banking apps shows a trend towards alternative payment methods, personalised budgeting and lifestyle features.

From online ad growth to precision agriculture, seven themes could shape industries and drive asset prices this year. Here’s how—and why—our views on each diverge from the market consensus.

Learn why feeding the world's growing population will prove ever more difficult; but innovative solutions with investment potential could be ahead.

Morgan Stanley Research believes the cycle has been reset and we are now in the recovery phase. It may be a good time for investors to ensure portfolio positioning is appropriate.

Momentum is shifting – are you ready?

Morgan Stanley projects strong global GDP growth of 6.4% for 2021—led first by emerging markets, followed by reopening economies in the U.S. and Europe—in a macro outlook that diverges from the consensus.

After a year of chaos, the 2021 investment outlook is refreshingly normal: Trust the recovery and, for most assets, stick with the early-cycle playbook.

Australia's economic recovery is expected to continue in 2021, helped by lower virus incidence and sustained policy support.

The industry landscape is being redefined by rising investor expectations around sustainable mining. Although recent ESG debates have been dominated by the "E" (environmental) like decarbonisation, climate targets, and emissions, the "S" (social) is increasingly in focus.

The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing have ushered in a new urgency for technology adoption that may last well past the pandemic. A look at how a new focus on digital transformation may signal opportunities for IT Services.

Investors have had mixed reactions to the 5G rollout worldwide, but an analysis of early-adopter markets suggests that 5G is surpassing expectations. Here are 5 key takeaways.

Morgan Stanley Research examines the factors that are likely to determine future success for Australia’s leading globally-focused firms.

Foreign-policy shifts, global trade, the fate of stimulus and the path of the coronavirus are just a few of the variables that investors should consider as President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office.

These four steps can guide a dynamic sustainable investing strategy for the long term.

Elections have consequences, but they may not be immediately clear to markets. A look at the risks and opportunities in 4 possible U.S. election outcomes.

Inflation expectations collapsed as the Great COVID-19 Recession (GCR) began and the demand for goods and services tumbled, but the recession should give way to a new cycle, one in which inflation will likely return.

Transitioning to a sustainable economy is becoming the defining issue of the next cycle for banks. European banks have already committed to roughly €1 trillion of sustainable financing for the economy into 2025.

As coronavirus drives urgency for innovation in the healthcare sector, investors are watching the race for a vaccine, trends in technology and demand for deal-making.

It may be time to toss out “old economy" notions about European equities, as tech and healthcare stocks help the region update its sector mix.

Why quantum and neuromorphic processing systems are paving the way for the next generation of artificial intelligence, potentially reshaping business for decades to come.

Legacy automakers may finally be shifting towards electric now that climate change has become the top driver of auto industry fundamentals. Here's how to track their progress towards a cleaner future.

Worldwide energy demand has risen steadily for the past half century—alongside CO2 emissions. Here are 11 revealing charts that tell the complex story of energy, economies and climate change.

Sustainable funds outperformed traditional peer funds and reduced investment risk during coronavirus, according to a report from the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing.

The internet is upending many consumer-facing business models and brands. The hotel industry is no exception. With COVID-19 also having a profound impact on the travel industry, we question, are hotel brands at risk?

Amid the global pandemic, guidance on earnings has become more unpredictable than ever, but investors who focus on high-quality factors could uncover long-term winners.

The US may be in the middle of what could be a 20-year secular bull market for equities that began in 2011.

A growing share of consumers are turning to trade-in programs, recycling and refurbished devices to cut down on e-waste. Manufacturers with trade-in programs may win them over.

It is estimated that there are currently 2.6 billion gamers across the globe, a roughly twofold increase in just five years. With US$135 billion in annual revenue in 2019, the size of the global video game industry is now larger than global film and music combined.

Our proprietary AlphaWise survey of 1,530 households shows that whilst broad intentions signal an ultimate recovery anticipated by consumers, underlying financial stress is real and caution weighs on the outlook of many.

Will declining launch costs, advances in technology and rising public-sector interest position space exploration as the next trillion-dollar industry?

Working from home began as a short-term response to COVID-19, but the trend will likely endure, with societal, business and market implications.

The US & China aren't decoupling, but are disassociating in key economic areas, with Europe facing a difficult balancing act. This accelerates the trend towards a multipolar world. Morgan Stanley Research identifies key sector trends and implications.

Weakness in the Australian housing market is expected to persist in the near-term, as demand weighs.

As the global economy moves toward decarbonisation, investors can harness new indicators to measure the potential risks and opportunities arising from climate change.

Multiple economic indicators suggest that the global economy began recovering in May, is gaining momentum and may return to pre-pandemic levels by year-end.

Australia’s banking industry is experiencing a rapid change of digitisation, especially with the rise of neobanks.

Sheltering in place has brought changes to how we live and work, particularly in the Internet space. As nations address the economic downturn caused by coronavirus, here are five areas of potential disruption online.

Between US$80 to US$120 billion is lost from the global economy every year through current waste practices for single-use plastics alone. This indicates a significant financial opportunity.

Morgan Stanley believes sustainable finance is not an isolated phenomenon, but an evolution that is going to continue.

How an increasingly interconnected world has amplified COVID-19’s repercussions and its ramifications for sustainable investing

With the end of the financial year fast approaching, it’s important to review your financial position.

Research suggests that the expected 2050 global population of 10 billion people will not be able to consume meat at the rates we’ve become accustomed to.

Issues around migration, debt, and inflation are likely to persist after the direct virus impacts have eased.

We are approaching a point beyond which Moore’s Law will no longer apply, at least economically.

While the positive coronavirus case trajectory in Australia may limit the economic downturn relative to other countries, this may not result in a significantly faster recovery.

Emotions and gut reactions often rule your investment decisions, which can be detrimental to your portfolio and your long-term investment goals. While feeling fear and panic can come naturally during volatile times, you can control how you react to these emotions.

The Australian Dollar has slipped to a 17 year low. But will industries that ordinarily benefit from a depreciating currency lose out as the world continues to battle coronavirus?

As the growth in new cases of infection appears to be slowing in some hard-hit regions, what comes next? A look at what needs to happen before the world can “reopen.”

Morgan Stanley Research has revised its assumptions on the timing of the normalisation of US economic activity. After a 38% annualised drop in growth in the second quarter, a shallower rebound in the third quarter is predicted, with activity returning to its pre-virus level at the end of 2021.

Falling demand and disrupted supply chains will trigger a global economic recession. However, strong monetary and fiscal policy responses under way could set the stage for a second-half rebound.

It is important to remember during periods of heightened volatility that investors stay within their targeted asset allocation ranges.

While black swan events are, by definition, difficult to predict in advance, they nonetheless present important portfolio positioning implications when they arise.

An increase in market volatility can create a challenging environment for investors and more specifically, the wider superannuation industry. Many people start to wonder, how does this affect my super?

Revisiting some fundamental principles of investing may help ease your mind.

Can the global economy, which began the year on the path to recovery, get past the coronavirus outbreak and back on the road to growth? A look at three potential outcomes for 2020.

European stocks still look cheap relative to their global peers, but bargain hunters shouldn't simply buy the benchmark. Here's how to size up Euro stocks.

Michael Wilson, Morgan Stanley’s Chief U.S. Equity Strategist & Chief Investment Officer explains why corporate inequality is unsustainable and potentially a bigger risk to the economy and markets than the issue of individual income inequality.

Morgan Stanley Research takes a diverging view from the market consensus across dozens of areas, from secular themes to regional economic outlooks. Here are seven highlights for 2020.

Average major bank housing loan growth seems to have bottomed, but there may be little prospect of a meaningful rebound in 2020.

Start 2020 by setting financial goals that will serve you well into the new decade.

Investing in 2020 will mean navigating an uneven global recovery and uneven valuations. Here are seven key investment themes for the year ahead.

Want to get involved in community service but aren’t quite sure how? Here are some tips and advice.

The world economy continues to decelerate, primarily due to ongoing trade tensions. However, Morgan Stanley Research anticipates that a coming trade deal between the US and China, as well as continued easy monetary conditions, could drive a modest rebound in economic activity in the second half of 2020.

As environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors become more broadly incorporated into investment decision-making, sovereign fixed income investors are grappling with the best way to benchmark and quantify these factors across a diverse group of countries.

These five emerging technologies could curb carbon emissions, halt climate change and offer new ways to invest in earth’s future.

The auto industry is critically important for the global economy, but it has seen a disruptive slide: global registrations, demand and production have slumped. The decline in passenger car demand seems to be persistent and independent of trade tariffs.

With a clear goal in mind, investors can create a realistic plan for achieving their objectives within a certain time frame. Here’s how:

Europe’s new fraud-prevention rules for online shopping will re-write the playbook on e-commerce security. How retailers and payments players navigate the terrain could have implications worldwide.

There is now around US$15 trillion of debt worldwide with a negative yield to maturity. While there has been debt with negative yield since 2014, the value of negative yielding debt has more than doubled in the last year. This is new territory for financial markets.

By 2030, Morgan Stanley forecasts the average size of China's five supercities will reach 120 million and the country’s urbanisation rate will rise to 75% driven by three initiatives – city clusters, smart cities and agricultural modernisation.

LIBOR is the world's most widely used benchmark for short-term rates, but its era of influence is slated to end by 2022. A look at the implications for asset classes and investors.

Why an expansion of beauty routines and influencer marketing on social media could drive China's share of the global beauty market to increase by 66% over the next five years, according to a new report.

The apparel industry is facing a structural decline as consumers with ‘too much stuff’ cut back on the number of new outfits they buy, even as prices fall.

Solar, smart meters and smarter grids are motivating global consumers to pursue their own power generation, presenting challenges—and opportunities—for utilities.

Trade tensions, political uncertainty and softening global growth are contributing to a volatile market. While the future is uncertain, diversification helps to manage risk and reduce the impact in the event of a significant market dislocation.

In a world of increasing cybersecurity risks, keeping good digital hygiene should be a matter of routine.

These are some of the industries threatened by the world’s water crisis. How can investors protect assets?

Markets have gotten much more volatile recently. Here’s why this shouldn’t worry long-term investors.

Responsible Investing (RI) continues to grow and is becoming mainstream. It would come as no surprise if it became just another form of ‘regular’ investing in a few years.

Media and social focus on gender diversity, the male-female wage gap and women's role in the workplace has rightly been a key topic in 2019. Corporates and investors are paying attention.

Investors may be overlooking attractive and impactful climate-related investments because of false beliefs that opportunities are more limited than they are.

Consumers continue to spend more time with new media, digital and mobile, and less time with old media, print, TV and radio. Is industry consolidation the answer to compete with global media and technology companies?

One of the least mentioned aspects of climate change is the spread of infectious disease. As the numbers of those exposed grow, the biopharma industry is set for an outsized role in the coming years

The ongoing trade tensions are pushing corporate confidence and global growth to multi-year lows. Are we about to enter a global recession?

The NBN (National Broadband Network) is approaching completion in 2020 after a 10 year rollout, allowing Australians to get more out of their internet experience. However, during this period, mobile broadband technology has accelerated, which poses a question whether fixed wireless could be a substitute product for the NBN.

Amid rising interest in South Korean culture, global consumers are embracing everything from TV shows to K-pop. Now, they’re adding K-food to the list, as overseas interest spreads the flavours of the peninsula nation.

A wave of capital investment is coming for the natural gas industry, driven by the major global oil and gas companies. However, there is a risk of oversupply if too many projects are approved and we face a demand shortfall.

Highly-skilled accountants and estate planners are vital to constructing sound wealth-transfer plans, but sometimes it is the matters these experts cannot address that pose the greatest challenges.

Australia's unprecedented housing boom was dominated by apartments, however this less materials-intensive segment is now leading the decline.

Investing in ‘the final frontier’ can seem daunting, until you start to see the ‘space economy’ as part of the larger transportation industry.

The pace of technological change in the Second Machine Age is breathtaking. For investors, this is one of the most important themes of the next decade. What can we expect in the coming years?

How satellite technology and space exploration could be the key to addressing climate change—and could be central to sustainable investing in the coming years.

Structural shifts in the $2.7 trillion super market are accelerating. Navigating this means businesses need to reshape the value chain to remain relevant.

Could autonomous vehicles be about to disrupt toll road revenue streams?

Globalisation has been a dominant investment theme for decades. Now, several trends are making global trade less advantageous and, in some cases, less feasible. Enter “slow-balisation.”

To a significant extent, successful investing in today’s markets means identifying, mapping and harnessing disruptive forces. No market is immune. From technology to transport; media to mining, disruption is simultaneously driving and destroying value.

At Morgan Stanley’s recent Australia Summit, we spoke to two well-known advocates for investing in disruptive innovation and asked them what investors should keep in mind when building these themes into their portfolios.

At Morgan Stanley’s recent Australia Summit, Catherine Wood, CEO and CIO at ARK Investment Management, identified the major innovation platforms and technology breakthroughs that she believes present significant opportunities for long-term growth investors.

Scott Helfstein, Global Co-Head of Market Research and Strategy and Head of Thematic Portfolios, spoke at our recent Australia Summit and outlined how he approaches thematic investing from a wealth management perspective. He identified eight key themes which he believes have enormous disruptive potential and therefore present compelling investment opportunities.

Disruption is a key theme in Australia's ongoing economic and equity market transition.

Long-term demographic and economic shifts are propelling deals in Japan, a trend likely to continue.

Taking a look at developments in Europe

As the earth approaches a climate-change tipping point, three other tipping points could help drive positive action. How should investors position to help create maximum change?

Housing prices fell -0.7% in March 2019, to mark the 18th consecutive month of national price declines.

Investors have been debating the merits of “active” versus “passive” investing for a while now. We break down those concepts and explain why both strategies can have a role in your portfolio.

In today’s environment of increasing market and geopolitical volatility, you may be thinking about how to navigate the current economic waters. And you may be wondering how professional investors are positioning their portfolios for the year ahead.

We look at the key measures announced in the 2019-20 Federal Budget.

Higher corporate indebtedness and slowing GDP growth pose cyclical risk for European banks. Some are more vulnerable than others.

Over the years, you may have heard investment pundits murmuring that the rapid growth in the ETF market could possibly foreshadow a collapse akin to an apocalypse. In this article, we dispel five common myths about ETFs.

A market renowned for surpluses will soon post its first current-account deficit in more than 25 years, opening new opportunities for international bond and equities investors.

Experts predict that 5G—the next generation of mobile broadband—will revolutionise the way our world connects, allowing greater numbers of connected devices to transmit data at unprecedented speed.

Twelve teams of graduate students are named as finalists in the 2019 Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge.

The Australian economy has gone 27 years without a recession, making this current economic expansion the longest in modern history.

Sceptics see China's efforts to stimulate its economy as too little, too late or, conversely, risking another debt-deflation cycle. Here's what they may not see.

Morgan Stanley employees around the world made valuable philanthropic contributions to their communities in 2018.

After an exceptional year for mergers and acquisitions in 2018, Morgan Stanley bankers expect the market to stay strong, albeit with some shifting dynamics.

Which sectors will feel the greatest impact from the coming growth in the sharing economy and what will it mean for investors?

In a new BluePaper, Morgan Stanley Research says autonomous urban aircraft may no longer be the stuff of comic books. Accelerating tech advances and investment could create a $1.5 trillion market by 2040.

Forget fitness – focus on finance

The line between science fiction and fact is blurring as genetic intervention, 3D-printed organs, surgical robots and data-based genome diagnostics slowly become reality.

From streaming media to China’s bond market, Morgan Stanley identified dozens of debates where the firm’s views diverge from market consensus. Here are five highlights.

When it comes to concerns over household debt levels, Australia is top of the table.

Subscription pricing and cloud gaming are the future battleground for console makers, game publishers and new tech players looking to lock in coming growth in the video-gaming market.

The concept of Quantum Computing is unfamiliar to many of us, but its impact on a vast array of sectors could deliver benefits that propel research and development into a new era of productivity and growth.

Investment Management’s Global Fixed Income Team notes that headwinds for the U.S. and China will have broad implications in 2019. Will it be a hard, bumpy or soft landing from the highs of 2018?

Technology is aiming for a disease-free future

The global economy is set to grow 3.6% in 2019, but that headline number masks key changes: U.S. growth could slow, while emerging markets retake the lead.

As people unplug from an over-abundance of technology, could investors tap into a new opportunity?

Bull market corrections follow a consistent pattern—a dip, rally, retest and recovery—and this period of volatility may be no different says Investment Management’s Andrew Slimmon.

Does the online shopping juggernaut signal an end to a familiar retail institution?

Leave your empty nest behind and boost your Super coffers in the process.

Driven by China's increasing levels of disposable income, travel abroad is more affordable for millions, and long-term trends point to volume growth, with global implications.

Could distributed ledgers be a solution for supply chain transparency?

The expectation that inflation will remain low could end up masking the signals of overheating economies—and actually push inflation higher.

Autonomous technology takes the wheel.

Plastic water bottles, bags and packaging are taking a toll on the environment, prompting consumers, governments and corporations to rethink plastic.

The importance of what happens behind closed doors.

Japan spent decades in the economic doldrums, but a number of factors—including advances in robotics and automation—are fuelling a revival in productivity, GDP growth and corporate returns.

Are we ready for robo advisers?

While higher oil can lift energy stocks, it can also foreshadow a downturn in markets.

The booming business of giving back.

In the last decade, lower interest rates and market forces made it easy for investors to drive returns. But is the heyday of passive investing now history?

Challenges and opportunities in a digitalised workplace.

Could fiscal integration for the euro area drive a rally in risk assets and a stronger euro over the long term? Markets could be underestimating the possibility.

The economics of excess in the luxury fashion industry.

The importance of global value chains means that import tariffs will have significant implications beyond the U.S., China and euro area. A look at the regions and sectors most affected.

The enriching experience of philanthropic travel.

Looming changes to mobility in India have the potential to transform the world’s auto industry.

Charting the Course of Sustainable Produce

How to keep a cool head when global markets heat up.

When sharing a future means sharing a budget.

Effective ideas for impact investors.

In the unpredictable world of startups, a steady hand at the wheel can make a significant difference.

Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things and Augmented Reality are about to reinvent how industries utilise data—and could drive an era of productivity growth in our cities, farms, factories and hospitals.

Convenience, quality and choice are reshaping Australia’s home delivery sector.

From better metrics and bond-market innovations to broader investor access, here are some of the key developments in sustainable investing.

Big Data is everywhere, and it’s starting to raise some concern among consumers.

As a target for disruption, Australia is also ripe for opportunity.

How capital combats climate change.

Climate change presents risks, but there are ways for investors to take part in positive change.

How financial institutions are banking on efficiency.

Most people borrow during the course of their lives. But it’s important to be as strategic about borrowing as you are with the other areas of your financial life.

Wealthy art patrons are increasingly sharing their enviable collections with the masses.

Between 2014 and 2020, the contribution of digital technologies to Australia’s economy is forecast to grow 75 per cent to A$139 billion.

Women have been banging their heads against the glass ceiling for years, but when it comes to the nation’s startups they are struggling to get a foot in the door, even at ground level.

Can animal welfare be a proxy for supply chain governance?

The business of energy efficiency has the potential to present new opportunities.

The economic expansion may be aging, but according to Morgan Stanley’s Co-Head of Economics, Chetan Ahya, the business cycle could still have room to run.

Why eSport is in a league of its own.

After 15 turbulent years, the industry may have found its digital saviour thanks to new opportunities from smart speakers and connected cars.

How healthier food creates fertile opportunities for business innovation.

The cause and effect of Investing with Impact.

Rising wealth, advancing technology and government reforms are leading to rapid development of financial markets in Asia—with widespread implications.

New Morgan Stanley research examines the common characteristics of bull market corrections and bear market turns to determine where equities are headed.

Planning for your child’s best financial future.

Today’s high wealth investors could play an important part in shaping the future for all of us – particularly when it comes to their decisions around sustainable investment options.

The accelerating pace of technology is bringing new risks, and new opportunities.

Think ahead to protect your financial position – and your loved ones.

There is mounting evidence to suggest that ethical and sustainable investing options are actually a smart financial choice.